River Wye “Friends & Family” Camp 2010 ... and the Great Yat Pike.

A group of us gathered at Biblins camp site on the Wye on Friday the 4^th of June for a bit of an adventure and beginners day out on the Wye on the Saturday. The weather was forecast to be perfect, everyone arrived safely, pitched their tents, lit a camp fire and sat back to enjoy the evening. Plans were made to start fairly early because those in the know have been down this avenue before and know how long it takes to set up for the day.

Saturday arrived with the predicted weather being about as perfect as it can be. Not too sunny, not too breezy, not raining and not threatening anything really bad. We only had one small glitch in that one person decided to go off to do their washing so missed their lift. New arrangements were hastily made and off we went to the get in at Kearne Bridge, where Rob Keane timed things perfectly and joined us for the day.

There was the usual unloading and sorting of boats, bums on seats, buoyancy aids, helmets, paddles etc then we were off. Again only one small glitch, Rob was helping to sort people to get onto the river but the person he was helping didn’t realise that Rob is a club member, so he actually knew what he was talking about, the confusion was quickly sorted though. Then Karen saw a spare kayak but couldn’t find the paddler. He was only behind her, waving and not shouting to attract her attention. Bum in boat, boat on the river, and off again, Karen being last on the river (as per usual – there’s always one …………..)

All went very well during the morning, no swims and no major adventures, just the odd tree that jumped out at people and trapped them very craftily. Rob navigated everyone to a lovely spot on the river for lunch and a quick dip for the youngsters. People were beginning to get the hang of things and the younger ones swapped over from opens into kayaks to give them a go if they hadn’t been in a kayak before, and the ones that knew how to paddle could get back into the swing of things. Young Anthony soon discovered that folk were generally very kind hearted and didn’t mind giving him a bit of a tow when he was tired.

Then we were at Yat Rock, time for another rest and a swim, and to gather ourselves for the grand rapids at Symonds Yat. Everyone stopped to have a look and safety was set up for those who wanted to have a bash. With Ann and Rob safely installed in their designated spots the beginners were left at the top of the rapids waiting for the signal to come down. Karen was last to set up and was just about to break out into her eddy when the Great Yat Pike struck…………………………… suddenly Karen was upside down doing grand battle with the Pike. Unfortunately, following a valiant battle she lost and then found herself swimming. OOPS!! She waited valiantly for her rescuers, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the spectacle and left her to do a perfect example of a swim and self rescue, in the eddy where she had originally planned to be. Again this was a grand spectacle for people to watch, but probably not for the beginners sitting at the top of the rapids watching the venture unfold.

Battered but undaunted, Karen gave the signal for the first of the opens to come down and watched them safely navigate their way down. Then it was time for the Girls to come down in their open. They had a very good line at the top of the rapids, then suddenly the Great Yat Pike struck again and threw the girls’ boat bodily at a rock forcing them to swim…………….. Karen to the rescue, still battered but still undaunted, and certainly not afraid of the Pike at all! The Girls were quickly gathered up and put back into their boat, a bit wet (bit of an understatement that!) and bit shocked but determined to finish off the rest of their day. Everyone else managed ok, which left people to have a little play before finishing off at the camp site ready to run the shuttle to finish off the day and start the tale telling and celebrating the end of a good day.

Sunday saw a few people having a bit of coaching with Karen and Ann by the camp site. Fortunately there was no sign of the Great Yat Pike, its territory obviously doesn’t extend that far down the river, but it’s a good job there is only one Great Yat Pike or chaos could ensue…………………………..